Description
Book SynopsisA central contested issue in contemporary economics and political philosophy is whether governments should redistribute wealth. In this book, a philosopher and an economist debate this question. James Otteson argues that respect for individual persons requires that the government should usually not alter the results of free exchanges, and so redistribution is usually wrong. Steven McMullen argues that governments should substantially redistribute wealth in order to ensure that all have a minimal opportunity to participate in economic life. Over the course of the exchange, the authors investigate a number of important questions. Is redistribution properly a question of justice, and what is the appropriate standard? Has the welfare state been effective at fighting poverty? Can we expect government intervention in the economy to be helpful or counterproductive? Are our obligations to help the poor best met through government action, or through private philanthropy and individual charit
Trade Review
"Both McMullen and Otteson are adept at navigating the ethical and moral arguments in the abstract, but each is willing to take seriously the problems of implementation and practical consequence. I enjoyed the discussion, and I expect that you will also."
Michael Munger, Duke University (from the Foreword)
Table of ContentsForeword 1. Redistribution to Expand Economic Opportunity 2. Justifying Wealth Redistribution: Can the High Burden be Met? 3. Poverty, Moral Hazard, and the State: Reply to James R. Otteson 4. Difficulties with the Wealth Redistribution Argument: Reply to Steven McMullen 5. Distributive Justice, Economic Growth, and the Welfare State: Reply to James’s Reply 6. How to Care for the Poor, and How Not to: Reply to McMullen’s Reply
